The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Broncos Will Win AFC West, Chiefs Dynasty Over? Josh Allen Best Player In NFL, Rams Rattle Darnold

Date: November 17, 2025
Guests: John Middlekauff (former NFL scout, host of "Three and Out" podcast)
Host: Colin Cowherd

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd is joined by John Middlekauff to break down a pivotal NFL weekend and assess the destinies and dynamics of several top teams. The duo’s discussions revolve around high-leverage games, quarterback performances, the impact of rosters and coaching, and shifts in power both in the NFL and major college football. They examine whether the Broncos have overtaken the Chiefs in the AFC West, debate if the Kansas City dynasty is fading, marvel at Josh Allen’s singular talent, and analyze the Rams’ continued psychological hold over Sam Darnold.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broncos Defeat the Chiefs—AFC West Power Shift

[03:04 – 17:33]

• Broncos (9-2) beat the Chiefs (22-19):
  Bo Nix was notably poised, especially managing the final drive with clutch third-down conversions. Colin and John agree that while Kansans City is still good, Denver's defense and coaching give them the edge this year.
• Bo Nix’s Evolution:
  • John: "[Nix] hit two third downs, third and 15 when he scrambled to his right... They need to get him on the move more often." [05:49]
  • Colin: "He’s a really tightly wound guy. And so I think Sean [Payton] was adding to that anxiety by getting it in late… He’s incredibly hard on himself." [10:08]
• Roster Construction & the Salary Cap Reality:
  • Colin points out how paying star QBs restricts the rest of the roster, mirroring New Orleans during Drew Brees’s peak salary years. Chiefs now show signs of that strain.
  • "This is the reality of having a $400 million quarterback." [11:50]
• Draft Dilemma for Dynastic Teams:
  • John: "When you go to five Super Bowls in six years... you’re drafting every round 29, 30, 31, 32... That’s a lot of pressure on Veach and the scouting staff." [11:50]
• Division Prediction Confirmation:
  • Colin boasts his preseason pick of Denver to win the division, stating, "The dynasty’s over... you just can’t keep doing it." [13:57]
  • Prediction: Broncos are now in control of the AFC West and on track for the #1 seed.

2. Rams Again Rattle Sam Darnold; Defensive Masterclass

[17:33 – 25:30]

• Rams 21, Seahawks 19:
  The Rams have figured out Sam Darnold, forcing four interceptions. Colin and John dissect Darnold’s mechanical struggles and the scheme-driven psychological pressure.
• Notable Quote:
  • John: "Sam's own three against the Rams the last two years, 21 and four against everybody else. So there is no question the Rams have his number." [22:16]
  • Colin: "[Darnold] has to see stuff clearly and quickly because he doesn’t snap the ball out like an Aaron or even Jordan Love just whips that thing out, man..." [22:16]
• Rams: The League’s Cleanest Team:
  • Colin: "I think the last two weeks the Rams are the cleanest team in the league. They're not the most dynamic... but clean. In the end, that wins a lot of games." [22:16]

3. Quarterback Analysis: Consistency Valued Over Flash

[25:30 – 27:20]

• Colin underscores the value in QBs like Caleb Williams and Bo Nix, who “don’t get hurt, don’t throw picks,” finding value in dependability over highlight-reel plays.

4. The Josh Allen Discussion: Best Player in the NFL?

[41:53 – 48:13]

• Bills 44, Buccaneers 32:
  • Allen posts three passing and three rushing touchdowns, eliciting awe from both hosts.
  • Colin: "Josh Allen, to me, is the best football player in the world. He’s maybe one of the five best football players I’ve ever seen. It’s just insane." [41:53]
• Buffalo’s Roster Reliance:
  • John: "Josh Allen is the Bills franchise. This team was a joke for 20 years. If Josh Allen disappeared tomorrow, the Bills would become the Jets or the Dolphins. Like that." [43:59]
• Roster Weakness Exposed:
  • Despite Allen's heroics, both agree Buffalo’s roster isn’t top-10 compared to Eagles, Rams, Seahawks ("You got dudes.").

5. Bears’ Extra Edge and Playcalling: Coaching Makes the Difference

[30:53 – 40:41]

• Bears 19, Vikings 17:
  • Chicago dominates time of possession and wins on a last-second field goal. Caleb Williams uses his legs to keep key drives alive.
  • Colin: "[Caleb Williams] is a frickin’ cleanup hitter. I mean just the legs, the power… when he unleashes it, man..." [31:22]
• Coaching Styles:
  • Discussion contrasts Ben Johnson’s run-first, QB-friendly philosophy to Kevin O’Connell’s pass-heavy, riskier approach.
  • John: "Ben Johnson, to me, thoroughly out-coached Kevin O’Connell." [36:46]
• Smart Late-Game Management:
  • Colin notes the Bears’ final drive: "Three straight run plays. [Johnson's] like, I’m not going to put Caleb... in this spot." [37:23]

6. Green Bay & Jordan Love—Unleash the Offense?

[55:00 – 62:16]

• Packers 27, Giants 20:
  • Analysis of the Packers’ conservative play calling. Jordan Love is described as talented but underutilized, with both hosts questioning Matt LaFleur’s reluctance to let Love air it out.
• Notable Quotes:
  • John: "Let [Love] sling it around… Over the aggregate it’s going to be pretty good."[60:43]
  • Colin: "I don’t understand the lack of trust for Jordan Love because that's what it feels like, me watching." [59:37]

7. 49ers, Coaching, and Mac Jones’ Value

[62:21 – 69:00]

• 49ers 41, Cardinals 22:
  • Shanahan and Robert Sala praised for winning despite a litany of injuries.
  • John: "How many coaches besides Andy Reid could you just be like, yeah, you're just going to win 10, 11 games [with a banged up roster]…" [63:24]
  • Colin: "Coaching in the NFL today… I don’t think there’s ever been this many good young coaches." [64:35]
• Mac Jones’ Trade Value:
  • Debated—worth at least a second and a third.
  • John: "Do you want to win or do you want to lose? Because you’re going to lose with J.J. McCarthy, right?" [67:21]
• Kittle & McCaffrey as Key Difference-Makers:
  • John: "They are as good of a tandem as a running back and tight end as you’re going to see. They are ass-kickers." [68:02]

8. NFL Coaching & Parity Reflected in College Football

[73:53 – 89:08]

• NIL/Transfer Portal Discussion:
  • Colin: "The fear was the rich are only going to get richer... Actually the opposite has happened... there is so much parity now in college football." [73:53]
• Rise of Mid-Tier Programs:
  • John: "Coaching is just more on full display in more games now than ever." [76:27]
• QB “Inflation” and this Year’s Weak Draft:
  • Both lament the state of the upcoming QB class. John: "To me, Ty Simpson has never been a top 100 pick till the last seven, eight years... this quarterback class is terrible." [79:06]
• Oklahoma’s Rise and Texas’ Block:
  • John: "Oklahoma, Kirby [Smart], like, those guys are defensive guys... their defense is elite." [82:38]
  • Colin: "Oklahoma has a better identity than Texas does, 100%." [85:47]

9. Raiders-Cowboys Monday Night Preview

[89:08 – 90:55]

• Cowboys vs. Raiders pick:
  • Colin leans Cowboys for offensive efficiency.
  • John expects a competitive showing: "Monday Night Football, you do get sometimes herculean efforts from bad teams. If Pete Carroll has anything left, we get a really good showing from the Raiders." [90:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Chiefs’ Future:

  • "This is the reality when you pay Kelsey, Jones, Mahomes." —Colin [11:50]

• On Josh Allen:

  • "He’s the best football player in the world." —Colin [41:53]
  • "If Josh Allen disappeared tomorrow, the Bills would become the Jets or the Dolphins. Like that." —John [43:59]

• On Sam Darnold vs. Rams:

  • "There is no question the Rams have his number." —John [22:16]

• On Caleb Williams’ Value:

  • "[He] is a frickin’ cleanup hitter." —Colin [31:22]

Important Timestamps

• Broncos-Chiefs analysis: 03:04 – 17:33
• Rams-Seahawks / Darnold rattled: 17:33 – 25:30
• Josh Allen discourse: 41:53 – 48:13
• Bears-Vikings, coaching philosophies: 30:53 – 40:41
• Packers / Jordan Love segment: 55:00 – 62:16
• 49ers, coaching depth: 62:21 – 69:00
• College football parity / NIL discussion: 73:53 – 89:08
• Monday Night Football preview: 89:08 – 90:55

Tone & Style

The episode is a classic Colin Cowherd blend of data, analysis, and bold opinions with organic, high-energy banter between Colin and John Middlekauff. It’s conversational, lively, and occasionally self-congratulatory—with healthy doses of skepticism and long-term perspective.

Summary Takeaways

• The Broncos are now favorites in the AFC West, with the Chiefs facing an inflection point in their dynasty.
• Josh Allen is in a league of his own—single-handedly elevating the Bills beyond their roster.
• The Rams’ mastery over Sam Darnold illustrates the power of coaching-driven matchups.
• Roster build and operational consistency matter as much as star power.
• Smart, run-first coaching (Ben Johnson) is helping Chicago “win ugly” and protect young quarterbacks.
• The upcoming NFL quarterback draft class isn’t inspiring optimism.
• College football parity is at an all-time high, partly thanks to NIL and the transfer portal.
• Oklahoma and Georgia are considered to have clearer program identities than Texas or USC.

For listeners, this episode is essential for understanding the shifting landscape of NFL power, the importance of coaching and roster construction, and the parallels between the modern NFL and evolving college football scene.